Upright-piano truck



' (NoModel.) 2 sheetssheet 1.

C. H. MARTIN.

UPRIGHT PIANO TRUCK.

No. 402,341. Y. Patented Apr. 30, 1889.

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(No Medel.) v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. C. H. MARTIN. UPRIGHT'-P1ANO' TRUGK. No. 402,341.` Patented Apr. 30, 1889.

L'UNITED l STATES CHRISTIAN H. MARTIN,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF SIOUX, CITY, IOVA.

UPRlGHT-PIANO TRUCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,341, dated April 30, 1889.

Application led December 29, 1888. Serial No. 294,984. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known-that I, CHRISTIAN H. MARTIN,- a citizen of the United States of America, residing' at Sioux City, in the county of Woodbury and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Upright-Piano Trucks, of which the following is a specifican tion, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention contemplates certain improvements in trucks, having for its object to effect the handling or moving more especially of upright pianos and like instruments with convenience and facility; and to these ends the nature of the invention consists of a skid or truck having (in addition to rollers or trucks so applied thereto as to be readily swung outof use or be readily brought into requisition) an end portion or vertical arm, which is provided with rollers or casters applied or swiveled thereto, preferably at or near its outer corners, while the swinging rollers or trucks near one end of the skid proper are adapted to be adjusted for supporting that end of the end 2 5 portion or vertical arm unsupplied 'with rollers or casters When the skid is stood and moved endwise.

It also combines with the skid or truck crossing straps connected together and to the skid or truck, or other suitable means to aid in properly holding or steadying the instrument upon the truck or skid, substantially as hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved truck or skid as applied for use. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view thereof.

In the organization of my invention I einploy a skid or truck, A, in the present instance preferably constructed of two thicknesses or an upper and a lower surface, a a', intermediately of which are disposed cross-pieces a2 a2, the whole being strongly and firmly bolted or fastened together. At oneV end of the skid or truck A is an upright or vertical arm or end portion, A', which is preferably plush-covered or cushioned upon its inner side, as shown, to prevent marring the piano or other instru- 5o ment placed upon the skid or truck.

Upon the outer side of the end portion or arm, A', near its upper corners, are applied swiveled rollers or casters b h,while farther down it is provided with a hand push bar or rod, d, for convenience in pushing the truck or skid as the draft or pulling force is applied to the opposite end of the truck or skid. To the outer side of this end portion or arm, near or at its lower end, is applied a spring snap or catch, c, the purpose of which will appear far- 6o ther on.

O O are trucks or rollers, the axles C of which are adapted to rest under the skid or truck A, while the rollers themselves stand at the'sides of the latter. These axles C are car- 65 ried by bails C2 C2, hung or pivoted in between the two surfaces or thicknesses of the skid or truck A, whereby the rollers can be swung or disposed so as to permit their axles to bear against the under side of the truck or skid, or 7o be elevated out from under thelatter when not required for use. The axles or rollers, when in the latter position, are retained in such position by means of the spring snap or catch c and by a pivoted plate or button, e, applied to the upper side of the skid or truck Y at one end thereof.

D D are two crossing straps,'riv'eted.or otherwise suitably connected together, as shown, for properly holding or steadying in position 8o the instrument placed upon the skid or truck.

horizontally. The ends of each strap are capable of being buckled together, holding it to the instrument.

It will be seen that with the instrument in position upon the truck or skid, should it be 9o required to manipulate the contrivance in a narrower space or passage or doorway than would permit of its passage when disposed with its greater length horizontally, the contrivance or skid is stood up so as to bring its arm or end portion, A into ahorizontal position, the swiveled rollers or casters resting upon the floor. The axle of the rollers or trucks O near the opposite end of the arm or end portion is now moved or swung under this end of roo the said arni or end portion and snapped into engagement with the spring snap or catch c.

The truck or skid is now ready for movement in its end-up position until its transit through the narrow passage or doorway is effected, when it can be returned to its former position for Jfurther movement, and so on, as occasion may require, until the desired destination has been reached.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The truck or skid having the swinging rollers or trucks, the axle of one being arranged to swing beyond and snap into position upon the vertical end portion of the skid, said Vertical end portion having at its outer or upper end casters or rollers, said swinging rollers being used interchangeably with lthe base and Vertical end portions, substantially as and for the purpose speciied.

2. The truck or skid provided with an upright vertical end portion or arni and with the crossing straps connected together, one strap being applied to the skid or truck and the other strap being passed around said vertical end portion or arin, said swinging rollers being used interchangeably with the base and vertical end portions, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

The skid or truck provided with a vertical end portion, having applied to its outer end swiveled rollers or casters and to or near its other end a spring snap or catch, said skid or truck also having applied thereto swinging rollers or trucks, the axle of one pair of which snaps past or over said spring snap or catch, and the steadying or holding crossed straps connected together and applied to the skid or truck, said swin ging rollers being used interchangeably with the base and vertical end portions, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J. Il. MARTIN.

Titnessesz S. A. TERRY, Gno. E. TERRY. 

